Opodo travel news

It’s been years in the making and today (11 November) Dubai’s Tram has finally started rolling with passenger services beginning tomorrow morning (12 November), the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed.

This will make travelling to and around Dubai much easier for those visiting for either holiday or work and the first phase of the tram will stretch 10.6 kilometres in total, including stops at eleven stations. In total there will be eight trains on the track.

This first phase alone cost $1 billion (£630 million approximately) and has taken around four years to complete. Those travelling along the tram will be able to easily access Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Marina, Marina Towers, Dubai Media City and The Palm Jumeirah, to name but a few.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, will be inaugurating the tram by enjoying its first ever trip today.

Interestingly enough, the Dubai tram is actually the first one outside of Europe to be powered by ground-based cables which extend through the tramway, thus eliminating any need for hanging cables. It is also the first tram in the world to use platform screen doors, which basically offer additional safety by opening and closing at the same time as the tram’s doors.

Aside from tourists, the tram will be used by locals and it is expected that 27,000 people will use it every day with the figure expected to increase over time. Given that a tram will pass by every 12 minutes, with a Friday morning run too, it’s no surprise that it will likely prove popular.

This first phase is only the beginning as there are two more phases of construction planned for the tram, of which the second will run to Burj Al Arab and Mall of the Emirates, adding another seven stations to the tram line. The third phase will create a line on Jumeirah Beach Road and completion of this is not expected to be due until 2025.